DANIEL FAST INFORMATION

ABOUT THE FAST

The Daniel Fast is inspired by Daniel from the Old Testament (Daniel 10:2-3). During this time, we focus on fasting in order to draw closer to God through our personal sacrifice of food and anything that would be a distraction to this pursuit.

SCRIPTURES FOR FASTING

• Matthew 6:16-18

• Matthew 9:14-15

• Luke 18:9-14

• 1 Samuel 7:5-6

• Ezra 8:21-23

• Nehemiah 9:1-3

• Joel 2:15-16

• Jonah 3:5-10

• Acts 27:33-37

WHAT CAN YOU EAT/NOT EAT

Please note that if you have health concerns that require you to eat, think of doing a fast of another nature such as television, social media, or something that would be of great sacrifice and would provide a greater focus on time with God.

FOODS TO EAT (Taken from Ultimate Daniel Fast)

Whole grains: Amaranth, barley, brown rice, buckwheat, bulgur, freekeh, millet, oats, purple rice, quinoa, rye, sorghum, spelt, teff, whole grain pasta, whole wheat, and wild rice.

Beans and legumes: Black beans, black-eyed peas, cannellini beans, garbanzo beans (chickpeas), great northern beans, kidney beans, lentils, peanuts, pinto beans, and split peas.

Nuts and seeds: Almonds, Brazil nuts, cashews, hazelnuts, macadamia nuts, nut butters, peanuts (actually legumes but people think of them as nuts), pecans, pepitas (pumpkin seeds), pine nuts, pistachios, poppy seeds, walnuts, sesame seeds, soy nuts, sunflower seeds.

Vegetables: All vegetables are allowed (fresh, frozen, dried, juiced, and canned).

Fruit: All fruit is allowed (fresh, frozen, dried, juiced, and canned). However, any dried fruit shouldn't contain added sugar (check ingredients to be sure).

Oils: Oils (such as coconut, olive, and sesame, for example) are allowed but should be used minimally. For example, you can sauté foods in olive oil but avoid deep-frying them.

Other: Unleavened bread (whole grain bread made without yeast, sugars, or preservatives. All herbs, spices, and seasonings are allowed, including salt and pepper.

Beverages: Water should be the main beverage on your Daniel Fast. Distilled, filtered, sparkling, spring, and mineral water are allowed as well. However, you may have 100% fruit juice on occasion (just don't overdo it).

FOODS NOT TO EAT (Taken from Ultimate Daniel Fast)

Animal products: Meat (bacon, beef, bison, chicken, lamb, pork, and turkey), dairy, (butter, cheese, cream, milk, and yogurt), fish/seafood, eggs.

Added sugar: Agave nectar, artificial sweeteners, brown rice syrup, brown sugar, cane juice, corn syrup, honey, malt syrup, molasses, and raw sugar. Yeast Yeast (and, therefore, leavened bread) isn't part of the Daniel Fast.

Refined grains: White flour and white rice. Only whole grains are allowed on the Daniel Fast. A whole grain product contains the entire grain kernel ― the bran, germ, and endosperm.

Processed food: Foods that contain artificial flavorings, chemicals, food additives, and preservatives.

Deep-fried food: Examples are corn chips, French fries, and potato chips.

Solid fats: Butter, lard, margarine, and shortening. Chocolate Milk chocolate, semi-sweet chocolate, dark chocolate, chocolate syrup, and cacao.

Caffeinated and alcoholic beverages: Alcohol, coffee, caffeinated tea, and energy drinks.